In January 1777, after igniting flammable air with a spark produced by a flint, Volta conceived the idea of an experimental weapon loaded not with gunpowder, but with a mixture of flammable air and deflogisticated air. Ignition occurs as in a traditional arquebus, but through an entirely new principle.
The project improves further when Volta discovers that the explosive mixture can be ignited directly by an electric spark generated inside the container. This led to the creation of the electro-pneumatic gun, capable of transforming electrical energy into a controlled explosion.
The first pistols were made of wood, while later ones were made of glass or metal and took on different shapes. The invention aroused great curiosity in scientific circles and became a spectacular tool for demonstrating the power of electric sparks applied to flammable gases.
Volta also experiments with firing the gun remotely, transporting electricity through conductive wires. These experiments reveal an early intuition of remote signal transmission, a true anticipation of the principle of the electric telegraph.
Volta hypothesises further uses for the gun, such as a “storm warning device”, and even describes a flammable air bomb. In famous public demonstrations, he shows the violent detonation produced by a mixture of air and flammable gases ignited by an electric spark in a closed container.
As the first person to achieve the combustion of gas mixtures in closed vessels using an electric spark, Volta can be considered a precursor to the ignition systems of modern gasoline engines. Once again, his experimentation anticipated future technological applications.
